Automatic governing mechanism.



R. H. RICE.

AUTOMATIC qovznmm; MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10,1914. I v

- Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

[III-II IIPicieg.v

R. H. RICE. AUTOMATIC GOVERNING MECHANISM.

APPLlCATlON FILED, FEB. 10.1914;

Patented Apr. 6; 1915,

2- BEBETQ SHEET "Rice;

' Wi-bnesses:

n ares r n 4 RICHARD H. RICE, F LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, :ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YQRK. v

AUTOMATIC GOVERNING MECHANISM.

5 setts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Governing Mechanism, Of1WhlCl1 tl18 following is a specification.-

' The present inventionrelates to automaticlQ govern-ingmechanism and in particular to its applicationin a water gas producmg system 4 l I I Briefly, a gas generating system including a. watergas plant, as commonly arranged, comprises a" generator contaming agrate anda bed of red hot fuelconnected by a suitable conduit to a carbureter and superheater During the so-calledblowing period air under pressure is supplied under the '20 grate to cause combustion of the fuel and f I raise the temperature of the same supply of air-is regulated so as to be suflicient'to cause only partial oxidation of the carbon, the products from thecombustion comprising quite an amount of carbon monoxid gas. bustion then pass to the carbureter and The hot products of partial comsuperheater along with a further supply of air, termed secondary air, which supply s regulated to be just suflicient to complete the I 'combustion of the carbon. This heats the fire brick ofthe carbureter and superheater.

The products of combustion then pass off through the stack valve to the atmosphere.

After the desired temperatures are reached for the bed of fuel andthe carbureter and .superheater, the. supply of air is cut-off by hand and the stack valve is closed. Steam is then passed through the fuel, and oil is 4 supplied to the carbureter. This constitutes v the gas making period and is continued until 'the' parts are cooled to such an extent that it is .not advantageous to continue. The steam is then cut ofl','the supply of air re established, and the cycle repeated.

- To obtain satisfactory operation it is ofadvantage that the supply of primary air bev of substantially constant volume and asth bed ofifuel oifers a greater or lesser resistance to'the passage of the air according to the thiclmessandcondition of the same, it will be clear thatthe pressure at which'the air must be furnished in order to provide constant volume must besuitably regulated.

.The pressureof the secondary air is con-.

Specification of Letters Patent.

part-1 of the station attendants This (Fig.2 is a modification.

' of air and located in a section, 14 of the air Patented Apr. '6, 1915.

Application filed February 10, 1914. Serial no. 817,810.

siderably less than that of the primary air,-

Wr tes. a

and is supplied in gradually increasing amounts from the beginning to the end of the blowing period, this being accomplished by a hand'operated throttling valve.

The proper manipulation of the various valves for: governing the air compressor,

supplies of air, etc. to the system obviously requires. care and constant attention on the v if the best results are tobe obtained.

object of the present invention is to provide asystem of the above referred to character wherin the-supplyof both pri- I mary and secondary air is automatically regulated so as to furnish the proper amounts and at the correct pressures.

A- further object of my invention is to provide; a novel form of variable volume governor.

Referring to illustrated certain forms which my invention may take, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a Water gas plant embodying my improved automatic governing mechanism,.and

' The generator 1 contains a a" stop valve 5. f The products of partial combustion which include carbon monoxid, carbon dioxid and nitrogen compounds, are led of through a pipe 6 to the carbureter 6. Between the generator and the carbureter a pipe 7 joins the pipe '6, for supplying; the secondary air. 7 A throttle valve 8 in-said the drawings wherein I have I grate .2 supporting a bed of fuel Primary air is supplied under thegrate by a pipe 4 which has pipe'is provided forcutting off the supply of secondary air.

- The air is supplied to both pipes by any suitable-blower, but I prefer to use a cen trifugal air compressor 9 driven by a steam turbine 10. From the discharge outlet of the compressor air is delivered. to the two b'ranchjpipes 4 and 7, preferably by the'in- ,rterposition of a header 11. I

In the branch pipe 4, leading tothe pri mary'air inletfof the generator, isplaced. the primary constant volume governor. This consists of a disk 13' floating on the column pipe which-section is preferably enlarged and made of frusto-conical form. The ve 15. on a graduated lever 16' piv'oted'to the stem 17 of the float. With the weight -set at the position marked for any given volume, the governor will be in equilibrium only when this volume is passing. A rod.18 is attached to the lever and operates a throttle valve 19 in a main 20 supplying steam to.

use of a throttle valve which will automatically maintain such pressure beyond it as will force a desired volume through whatever restrictions may exist. 'The pressure preceding of course will be greater, but it may be of any value above that to be maintained beyond the governor. It has been stated that the pressure is somewhat higher than that of the secondary air, so that the secondary governor serves to throttle the secondary air supply down to a given quantity. The governor comprises a disk 22 mounted on a stem 23 in a section 2 1 of the air pipe 7. This section'is enlarged and is preferably of frustoconical form as shown. The stem is connected to a butterfly valve 25 in the pipe beond the section 2 1, which pipe is connected to the base of the frusto-conical section by the converging section 2a. On the spindle or the valve and outside beam 26 carrying a counterweight 27. As the quantity of air tends to increase so as to raise the float, the butterfly valve is par .tially closed so as to decrease the pressure beyond, which will decrease the in the pipe flow.

As already stated, in the operation of a Water gas plant, it is necessary to increase gradually the volume of the. secondary air, from the beginning to the end of the blow ing process. In order to accomplish this automatically, the weight 27 is arranged to move-so as to act at a constantly increasing radial distance. from the spindle of the valve. To this end the weight 27 moves in an inclined guide 28v carried by the end of beam 26. This guide is made in the form of a dash pot filled with oil, the weight acting as the plunger. To regulate the motion of said weight a by-pass 29 connects the two ends of the dash-pot to permit the plunger to displace oil or" other liquid in said dashpot, and a regulating valve 30 controls the flow of said liquid through said by-pass. A handle 31 on the stem 31 of the plunger enables it to be re-set when necessary, and a graduated scale 32 cooperating with said supplying a suflicient make gas, the valves of the primary air of the pipe is a handle indicates the volume which is being delivered at any instant. I may also provide suitable manomcters for indicating the pressure at desired points. as shown for instance at 7 and 7 in pipe 7 The secondary air governor is therefore a variable volume governor as distinguished from the constant volume governor in the primary air Plpe,

When the desired temperatures are reached in the generator and carburetor and it is desired to stop blowing and to 5 and 8 in the primary and secondary air, pipes are closedand at the same time a quick acting valve 33 is closed which shuts 01f nearly all the steam to the turbine, letting only enough pass to keep the machine running. The lever 3-1 to which the valve 33 is connected also operates to close a butterfly valve 35 in the inlet of the air compressor. The stoppage of the air supply permits the constant volume governor in the primary air pipe 1 to pull the throttle valve 19 in the steam main 20 wide open. A relief valve 36 in the primary air pipe relieves the same of any excess pressure dueto any cause.

During the gas making period steam from any suitable source is admitted under the grate 2 by way of coipduit 4, the supply being controlled by valve 1*. The means for admitting oil to the carburetor is not shown but as the method followed during the gas making period is well known and' forms no secondary air governor will be reset so that it can begin its downward and outward sliding movement, and the quick-operating valve 33 and the butterfly valve 35 will be opened. A full head of steam is thus admit'ted to the turbine, which will accelerate very rapidly and start the air supply. The primary air governor will respond-quickly and throttle down the steam to the amount required to deliver the predetermined volume.

The'blowing period and the gas making period cover quite definite intervals of time, usually from six to eight minutes, and the manipulation of the valves, etc. to change from one period to the other and back again may be performed either manually by the operator or through suitable automatic devices as desired. l/Vith this arrangement, the steam consumption is kept down to that which is actually necessary to furnish the required volume of blowing air; while during the gas making period, the steam is practically shut on, the small amount con.

' idle being negligible.

the generator 41 by conduit 42 corresponding; to the'conduit liof Fig. 1, while the,

. regulating'the the compressor toobtain constant volume of I the-primary 'air' I take my supply from'ja suitable source by way of conduit 40, the

' and control the volume taken therefrom by a suitable valve which in turn, is controlled by a constant volume regulator arranged in theiconduit pipe 42 wit'ha section 45Ipreferably-ot inwhich 18 a be locked in any, position by locknut 4:9.

verted frusto-conical shape, in

sumed in running the compressor or blower Referring now to 2, the supply of primary and secondary air is shown as being taken from a conduit or trunk line 40 lwhich conveys air at low pressure from an air compressor or other suitable source of supply. Thistrunk line may supply 3.11

for one or more than one'gas machine or unit. The supply of'primary air passes to supply of secondary air is fed to the conduit 43, by' conduit 4% corresponding respectively to conduits 6 and? of Fig. 1. V

In'this form of my invention instead of supply of motive fluid to pressure of which is constant or otherwise,

To this end I provide the disk' float 46 of less diameter than'sa'id" section. The disk is adj'ustably mounted onj a stem 47 as by a threaded hub 48 and may The lower end of the stem is guided by the member'j50, while its upper end is preferably ofiset and pivoted in one of several .by the ,valve 52 holes in an ear 51 carried located in the pipe beyond the irusto-conical section which section" is ]0111 6d tot-he pipe by the converging section This valve is shown as being of the butterfly typeandcontrols the' flow through the conduit 42. By shifting the'connection of the stem to the. ear from one hole to another the valve j beclear, this weight tends to openthe' valve '50 can be adjusted to open moreor less for a given movement of the float. 'The spindle of the valve passes through the wall of the conduit and has an arm 53 secured to it, on

which isan adjustable weight 54. As-will in opposition to the action of the floatfi whichltendsto close it, and hence by prop- "erly adjusting the weight 54 on the arm 53 the volume of fiowthrough the conduit may be maintained at any desired value. The variable volume governor shown in Fig.2 is essentially the same as that shown in Fig. 1 and the same reference numerals have accordingly been applied thereto.

i I ation in connection with the description 0t Further description thereof is believed to be unnecessary. a

From the explanation given of the oper- Fig. 1', the operation of the arrangement of Fig. 2 will be obvious, the constant volume governor in conduit 42 functioning'to supplyfthe desired volume to the generator,

while the variable volume governor in con duit 44 functlions to supply the gradually iiici'asing vo ume desired to complete the.

combustion in the' carbureter and. superheater.

In accordance with the provision sot the 4 patent statutes, I have describedl theprinciple of operation ofmyinyention,- together with the apparatus which I nowcons'ider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but 7 ,7 I desire to have it; understood thatthe ap paratus shown is only illustrative, andthat the invention can [be carried out by other means' 1 -What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is}

- '1'. In an automatic governing mechanism,

conveying fluid therefrom, adonstan't volume a source of supply, apluralityof conduits for maintaining a fiow'of con'stant volume through some of said conduits, and auto-.

able volumethrough other of said conduits.

, 3. The combination with the-primary and r .matic means for maintaininga flow of vari'-. I

secondary air pipes of a water gas plant,'of

pipe. 4. Theicombination in a water gas plant, of primary-and secondary air pipes, a variable volume governor in tl 1e secondary air pipe, an air compressor-supplying air to both pipes, means :tor driving the com-' automatic means for maintaining a flowo'f constant volume throughthe primary pipe and a flow of variable. volume through the r00 secondary pressor, and means-for controlling the co pressor whereby the samedelivers constant 3 volume through the primary air pipe.

5. The combination in a water gas plant,

of primary-and secondary air pipes, a turbine driven air compressor 'for supplying air, a volume governor. for each of said air pipes, a main supplying steam to the turbine, andla throttle valve for the turbine controlledbythe primary air governor.

"6. Thejcombination in a watergas plant,

of primary and secondary airpipes, a tur bine -driven air compressor ,for' supplying air, a volume governor for each of said air pipes, a main supplying steam to the turbine,fa throttle valve in said main, connections between said valve and the primary air'governor, and means for varying the I action of the governor on the throttle valve I to insure the delivery of any desired constant volume of primary air." 4 7. A volume governor'for flowing fluids, comprising a conduit,a -valve controlling the passage of fluid therethrough, a float in comprising a conduit, a valve controlling the passage of fluid therethrough, a float in the conduit located in advance of the valve as regards the direction of flow, connections between the float and valve, means biasing said valve to an open position in opposition to the action of the flowing fluid on the float, and means for automatically increasing the action of the biasing means.

9. A volume governor for fluids, comprising a conduit having an enlarged section and a section converging to a smaller diameter, a disk float in said enlarged section, a butterfly valve in the smaller section, connections between said valve and float, and means for automatically increasing the resistance of said valve to the closing action of the flowing fluid upon said float.

10. A volume governor for fluids, comprising a conduit having a frusto-conical section and a section converging to a smaller diameter, a disk float in said frusto-conical section, a butterfly valve in the smaller section, connections between said valve and float, a weight counterbalancing the efl'ect of the flowing fluid tending to close said valve, and means for automatically increasing the action of said weight.

11. The combination in a water gas plant, of primary and secondary air pipes, a disk float in each pipe, a valve in the secondary pipe, a connection between the valve and float, means for automatically increasing the resistance of said valve to the closing action of the flowing fluid uponsaid float, and means controlled by the float in the primary pipe for maintaining a flow of constant volume through such pipe.

' 12. The combination in a water gas plant, of primary 'and secondary air pipes, a disk float in eac pipe, a valve in the secondary pipe, a connection between the valve and float, means for automatically and progres sively increasing the resistance of said valve to the closing action of the flowing fluid upon said float, and means controlled by the float in' the primary pipe for maintains ing a flow of constant volume through such i 1 e. p in witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth' day of February,-1914.

I RICHARD H. RICE Witnesses: I

' JOHN A. MCMANUS,'JI.,

FRANK Gr. HATTIE. 

